Half of bankers set to leave over 2011 bonus
Nearly half of banking staff threaten to leave if 2011 bonuses disappoint, despite almost two-thirds already dissatisfied with current year payouts. Banks face pressure to develop innovative retention strategies beyond traditional bonus structures.
Jobs for skilled workers should be cut by 1/3
A UK government-appointed panel recommends cutting eligible skilled worker occupations from 192 to 121, excluding hairdressers and science technicians while keeping nurses and engineers. The proposal would raise visa thresholds to graduate level and reduce migrant worker admissions by approximately 10,000 annually as part of efforts to lower net migration.
Reward management – where do we go from here?
Reward management strategies need reassessment following the financial crisis and changing workplace dynamics. Organizations must balance fixed and variable pay, clearly define job roles and expectations, and recognize that employee engagement extends beyond monetary compensation.
The anti-personnel department
A long-serving employee with an excellent performance record faces unexpected sick pay termination with no advance warning from her employer’s HR department, raising questions about how personnel departments treat staff as numbers rather than individuals and whether such practices breed workplace resentment.
Social media policy goes bad at Commonwealth Bank
Commonwealth Bank has revised its social media policy after the Finance Sector Union condemned it as restricting staff freedom of expression. The policy previously allowed disciplining or firing employees if their friends posted criticism of the bank on social media, breaching Australia’s Fair Work Act.
Cable announces funding for on-job training
Vince Cable announced £222 million in additional annual funding for on-the-job training, bringing the total to £1.4 billion and aiming to create 100,000 new apprenticeship places. Major employers like Morrisons, British Airways, and BT are leading the initiative to increase apprenticeships and position vocational training as equal to university degrees.
Future looks bleak for employee relations
Employee relations are deteriorating across UK workplaces due to longer hours without pay increases, rising stress levels, and poor management relationships. A survey of 550 HR professionals found 46% experienced increased stress-related problems last year, with two in five anticipating further deterioration in 2011.
Man in sexual harrassment claim against John Lewis
A male John Lewis worker is suing the retailer for sexual discrimination after management allegedly dismissed his complaints about being repeatedly slapped by a female colleague. The store manager reportedly told him he should be “delighted” by the attention, while the accused colleague denied the allegations, claiming she only patted his lower back in a “caring way.”
Windpower breathes hope into ‘jobless recovery’
The UK wind energy sector has nearly doubled its workforce to 9,200 jobs in three years, defying recession trends and offering hope against jobless recovery. This growth outpaces overall UK employment decline and demonstrates renewable energy’s potential for job creation and economic stimulus.
Gen Y not so obsessed with social media
Most Generation Y workers believe employers should not allow social media use at work, with 69% opposing the practice. A survey of 4,500 UK respondents aged 15-34 reveals that despite their digital savvy, Gen Y prefers to keep social networking personal rather than professional.
Work visa crack down proposed
Immigration minister Damian Green proposes scrapping the post-study work visa for non-EU students, claiming the current system unfairly disadvantages UK graduates seeking employment. The move aims to reduce bogus courses used as covers for staying in the country to work.
HR development not prioritised in budgets
Despite three-quarters of UK managers prioritizing staff development for organizational growth, HR teams are being neglected in budgets. A Henley Business School survey found support for HR development plummeted from 34% to just 3%, while HR spending increases lag behind non-HR departments at 24% versus 32%.
Workday show the lean way to do HR tech
Workday demonstrates how cloud-based HR technology enables organizations to adopt leaner operations while maintaining comprehensive functionality. The company’s cloud delivery model allows HR departments to replace legacy systems entirely, with over 200 built-in best practices and unified talent management capabilities.
Pre-employment health questions – an FAQ
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits employers from asking job applicants health questions before making a job offer, with limited exceptions. Health questions can only be asked after a conditional offer if necessary to establish if candidates can perform intrinsic job functions or comply with recruitment requirements.
#ConnectingHR Tweet up: Doug Shaw goes for a song…
HR professionals gathered at the #ConnectingHR Tweet up on January 31st for face-to-face networking and community connection. The event featured entertainment and highlighted the growing community of HR professionals connecting online and offline through regular Twitter chats and unconferences.
Paternity leave – can the government achieve family utopia?
The government proposes expanding paternity leave rights, allowing fathers and partners to take additional leave up to 26 weeks to care for newborns and support work-life balance for families. Current eligibility includes employees with 26 weeks service who can take one to two weeks ordinary paternity leave, with new provisions enabling flexible leave sharing between parents.
Coalition must help lowest earners and prevent poverty
The Work Foundation warns the coalition government must introduce targeted policies to help 10 million low-wage earners escape poverty and poor employment. Universal tax credits alone won’t address labor market failures in economically disadvantaged areas where jobs remain scarce and wages stagnate.
Freelancers filling skill gaps in SMEs
UK SMEs increasingly rely on freelancers to fill skill gaps and boost flexibility, with 38% using them to address staffing shortfalls. A survey found 93% now view freelancers as a viable alternative to permanent staff, citing cost-effectiveness and scalability.
Bribery act hesitation could lead to export blacklist for UK
UK companies risk ending up on an international export blacklist if the government continues delaying implementation of the Bribery Act, according to an OECD anti-corruption watchdog. Justice Secretary Ken Clarke pushed back the Act’s implementation following business lobbying, prompting warnings from international officials that patience is “running out fast” and competitors may take action against UK firms.
How to recruit higher quality candidates: a key lesson from consumer marketing
Recruiters can improve candidate quality by applying marketing principles to sourcing strategies. By analyzing what makes top performers successful in your organization, you can identify and target similar candidates more effectively, rather than focusing solely on reducing hiring costs or time.
